Skip to main content

Process Improvement for the Small and Agile

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 301))

Abstract

In order for process improvement to better respond to industry expectations there needs to be a value-centric thinking about processes so that all processes in the organization are contributing to the creation of value for the customer and for the organization. To achieve this, organization’s strategic goals need to be aligned with process goals on operational level so that all work contributes to the strategic goals of the organization. Similarly, the performance measurement system needs to be revised to direct efforts toward reaching the broad goals of the cross-functional processes rather than small tasks and compliance to set rules. In this paper we describe potential problems process improvement has today and discuss possible concepts that might help revising the process improvement thinking. These changes clearly reflect the needs and characteristics of small and very small organizations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Lepmets, M., Ras, E.: Motivation and Empowerment in Process Improvement. In: O‘Connor, R.V., Pries-Heje, J., Messnarz, R. (eds.) EuroSPI 2011. CCIS, vol. 172, pp. 109–120. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. Lepmets, M., McBride, T., Ras, E.: Goal Alignment in Process Improvement. Journal of Systems and Software, 20p (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Finley, I., Valdes, R., Driver, M., Murphy, T.E., Prentice, B., Wilson, N., Norton, D., Altman, R., Smith, D.M., Murphy, J.: Agenda for Application Management. Gartner (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  4. ISO/IEC 15288: Systems engineering - System life cycle processes. 15288 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hoogervorst, J.A.P.: Enterprise Governance and Enterprise Engineering. Sogeti Netherlands, Diemen, Netherlands (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  6. EC: Definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (2003), http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/enterprise/business_environment/n26026_en.htm

  7. Alexandre, S., Renault, A., Habra, N.: OWPL: A Gradual Approach for Software Process Improvement In SMEs. In: 32nd EUROMICRO-SEAA 2006 Conference on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications, p. 8. IEEE Computer Society, Cavtat (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  8. O’Connor, R.V., Basri, S., Coleman, G.: Exploring Managerial Commitment towards SPI in Small and Very Small Enterprises. In: Riel, A., O’Connor, R.V., Tichkiewitch, S., Messnarz, R. (eds.) EuroSPI 2010. CCIS, vol. 99, pp. 268–279. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Benner, M.J., Tushman, M.L.: Exploitation, Exploration, and Process Management: the Productivity Dilemma Revisited. Academy of Management Review 28, 238–256 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sitkin, S.B., Sutcliffe, K.M., Schoreder, R.G.: Distinguishing control from learning in total quality management: A contingency perspective. Academy of Management Review 19, 537–564 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Augustine, S., Payne, B., Sencindiver, F., Woodcock, S.: Agile project management: steering from the edges. Communications of the ACM 48, 85–89 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Rummler, G.A., Ramias, A., Rummler, R.A.: White Space Revisited: Creating Value Through Process. John Wiley & Sons (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  13. O’Hara, M., Watson, R.T., Kavan, C.B.: Managing the Three Levels of Change. Information Systems Management 16, 63–70 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nerur, S., Cannon, A., Balijepally, V., Bond, P.: Towards an Understanding of the Conceptual Underpinnings of Agile Development Methodologies. In: Dingsøyr, T., Dybå, T., Moe, N.B. (eds.) Agile Software Development, pp. 15–29. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Woodward, J.: Management and Technology. In: Pugh, D.S. (ed.) Organization Theory. HMSO, London (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Humphrey, S.W.: Team Software Process. (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  17. ISO/IEC 15504-2: Information technology - Software process assessment - A reference model for processes and process capability, 15504, vol. 2 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  18. CMMI v1.3: CMMI® for Development, Version 1.3. Software Engineering Institute (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Weiss, D.M., Bennett, D., Payseur, J.Y., Tendick, P., Zhang, P.: Goal-Oriented Software Assessment. In: International Conference on Software Engineering, pp. 221–231 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Senge, P.M.: The Fifth Discipline: the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Random House, London (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hammer, M.: The Process Audit. Harvard Business Review, 17 (April 2007)

    Google Scholar 

  22. McBride, T., Lepmets, M.: The Many Forms of Process Improvement - Results of an International Survey. Software Quality Days, 7 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Tuisk, A., Karpištšenko, A., Lepmets, M.: Integrated Process Improvement Approach: Case Studies in Skype Technologies Ltd. In: Mas, A., O’Connor, R.V., Mesquida, A.L. (eds.) SPICE 2012. CCIS, vol. 290, pp. 13–25. Springer, Heidelberg (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Schroeder, R.G., Linderman, K., Liedtke, C., Choo, A.S.: Six Sigma: Definition and underlying theory. Journal of Operations Management 26, 536–554 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Tennant, G.: Six Sigma: SPC and TQM in Manufacturing and Services. Ashgate Publishing (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lapham, M.A.: DoD Agile Adoption: Necessary Conditions, Concerns and Changes. Crosstalk, 31–35 (January/February 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Moe, N.B., Dingsøyr, T., Dybå, T.: Understanding Self-organizing Teams in Agile Software Development. In: 19th Australian Conference on Software Engineering. IEEE Computer Society, Perth (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Tata, J., Prasad, S.: Team Self-management, Organizational Structure, and Judgments of Team Effectiveness. Journal of Managerial Issues 16, 248–265 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Pourdehnad, J., Bharathy, G.K.: Systems Thinking and Its Implications in Organizational Transformation. In: 3rd International Conference on Systems Thinking in Management, Philadelphia, PA (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Carroll, B.J.: Lean performance ERP project management: implementing the virtual supply chain. St. Lucie Press, Boca Raton, Florida (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Bach, J.: Good enough quality: beyond the buzzword. Computer 30, 96–98 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Eisenhardt, K.M., Martin, J.A.: Dynamic capabilities: what are they? Strategic Management Journal 21, 1105–1121 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. ISO/IEC 12207: Information technology – Software life cycle processes. ISO/IEC 12207 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Lepmets, M., McBride, T. (2012). Process Improvement for the Small and Agile. In: Winkler, D., O’Connor, R.V., Messnarz, R. (eds) Systems, Software and Services Process Improvement. EuroSPI 2012. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 301. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31199-4_27

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31199-4_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-31198-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-31199-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics